Centrifugal machine.



G- TER MEER CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION mso MAR. 24. 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Nov. 16, 915.

G. TER MEER.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24. 19144 Patenmd Nov. 16, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- GUSTAV TER MEER, 0F HANOVER, GERNY.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

Jl 160L635.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1%,1915.

Original application filed December 10, 1913, Serial No. 805,694.Divided and this application filed March 24,1914. Serial No. 826,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV TER MEER, a subject ofthe Emperor of Germany,and a resident of Hanover, in the Province of Hanover, Prussia, Germany,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CentrifugalMachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in centrifugal machinesadapted for use in separating bodies of different specific gravity andmore particularly to that type in which solid or heavier particles in aliquid are forced outward radially by centrifugal force and accumulateadjacent to the outer wall of a drum or other separation chamberrotating at high speed while the liquid and lighter portions form alayer nearer to the center of rotation and overflow from the chamber. Insuch machines it is customary to intermittently interrupt the deliveryof material to be treated when a desired quantity of solid material hasaccumulated and during such interruptions to effect a discharge of thesesolid or heavier accumulations.

One of the main features of my invention resides in the means employedfor effecting this periodical discharge of the solid or heaviermaterial. A

In its simplest form my improved separating chamber or drum includes aperipheral wall and an end wall which are relatively movable axially,preferably while the parts are rotating at high speed. Thus the solidmaterial will be thrown out radially from the separation chamber as theend wall scrapes it from the inner surface of the peripheral wall duringtheir relative axial movement. In its preferred embodiment theseparation chamber has top and bottom walls rigidly connected togetherand the peripheral wall is axially movable endwise to permit the freeradial discharge of the material between the said end walls. By means ofthis construction the material may be very quickly and completelydischarged; one end wall forms a scraper for the inner surface of theperipheral wall; the interior of the separation chamber is substantiallyfree and unobstructed and comprises only one single chamber, free toclean or inspect; and the only points which it is necessary to packforce. Where movable gates, valves or other movable members are employedfor controlling the discharge of solid material from the separationchamber, it is extremely diflicult to obtain a tight joint between therelatively movable parts, as the material exerts a pressure not only onthe peripheral Wall, but also on the packings and this pressure oftenamounts to many atmospheres.

An important feature of my invention relates to the means employedwhereby I secure the necessary tightness at the joint between theperipheral wall and the end walls and positively prevent the penetrationof the liquid through these joints. One of the end walls for instancethe lid or top wall, preferably presents a gasket lined seat againstwhich the end of thesdrum casing normally is held by hydraulic orpneumatic pressure. This endwise pressure of the easing and lid may beas great as is necessary to effect the desired tightness and isindependent of the pressure exerted by the liquid within the separationchamber. For efiecting a tight joint between the other end wall whichserves as a scraper and the peripheral wall of the drum, this end wall,which is preferably the bottom, is made slightly smaller than the drumso that it may move endwise through the latter. If the two parts be madeto fit friction tight a thin film or layer of the material may getbetween the periphery of the bottom and the casing and may thereaccumulate and harden to such an extent that it is diflicult to securethe desired relative movement of the parts axially to eject thematerial. If a stuffing box or packing be employed and held against theinner surface of the, drum casing, by mechanical means, great pressuremust be employed to overcome the tendency of the liquid to escape whenthe latter is pressed against the stufiing box by centrifugal force.Furthermore, such high pressure of the packing gland or stutfingmaterial against the peripheral wall will seriously interfere with theaxial movement of the parts, and the scraping off of the material fromthe peripheral wall.

As an important feature of my invention I provide the end wall whichserves as a scraper, with packing material held in place against theperipheral wall by centrifugal force. By suitably calculating the weightof the packing material or by mounting in the rear of the packingmaterial the proper radially movable weights, the pressure of thepacking material against the inner surface of the drum may at all timesbe kept slightlv greater than the pressure of the liquid tending toescape past the packing and slightly in excess of the adhesive power ofthe dried material to the casing. Leak.- age is thus elfectivelyprevented at. the joint, the material is properly scraped from the innersurface of the peripheral wall and the friction at all times isproportioned to that required to secure the desired results.

My invention involves various other features of more or less importancewhich will be pointed out hereinafter in connection with a descriptionof one specific form of the machine as a whole and in which my inventionis embodied.

It is of course understood that the specific-machine about to bedescribed constitutes only one form which my invention may assume andthat various changes, rearrangements, additions and removals may be madewithin the scope of the appended claims and without departing from thespirit of my invention. Reference is to be had to the accompanyingdrawings in which similar reference characters indicate correspondingparts in the several views, and in which,

Figure 1 is a central, vertical section through-such a machine; Fig. 2is a vertical.

central, longitudinal section of a portion of the drum on a somewhatlarger scale; and showing certain features differing somewhat in detailof construction from that shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are sectionaldetails showing the packing between the bottom and peripheral wall; andFig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

In the specific form illustrated the main rotating parts of the machineare carried by a centralvertically disposed shaft 10, supported at itslower end in any suitable form of step bearing 11, and having adjacentits lower end suitable driving connections such for instance as a pulley12, whereby the machine may be driven at high speed. Intermediate of itsends the shaft is supported in a suitable bearing 13, and at its upperend it carries a head 14 secured. thereto in any suitable manner. Asshown the head has a central aperture with a conical seat receiving theconical upper end of the shaft and locked in place by a nut on the upperend of the shaft. The head forms the inner or central core of theseparation chamber or drum, and is encircled by the peripheral wall 15ofthe drum, which latter is spaced from the head the required distance toleave the annular separation'chamber. The head adjacent its lower endhas integral therewith or rigidly secured thereto an annular wall 16constituting the bottom of the separation chamber or drum, andpresenting a peripheral. face contacting with the inner surface of theperipheral wall. At the upper end of the peripheral wall 15 is a topwall or lid 17 held rigid in respect to the bottom 16 in any suitablemanner, as for instance by vertically extending posts 18.

The top wall or lid 17 has a large central opening, through whichextends the supply pipe 19 for the material'tobe treated. At the lowerend of the supply pipe are spaced guiding plates 20 and 21 extendingoutwardly over the head 14 and carrying at their peripheries twocylindrical spaced plates or Walls 22 and 23 which latter terminate attheir lower ends adjacent to the bottom wall 16. Thus the material to betreated and which enters through the supply pipe 19 is delivered to thedrum closely adjacent the bottom of the latter and in a thin annularstream, but ordinarily not until after the drum or separation chamberincluding the peripheral wall and the bottom and top walls 16 and 17,have reached the desired high speed of rotation. As the mixed liquid andsolid material is admitted the solid or heavier material will be thrownby centrifugal force against the wall 15, while the lighter or liquidportions will collect as an inner or more centrally disposed layer. Asthe material continues to flow into the drum and the latter continues torotate at high speed, the drum will eventually become filled to such anextent that for each additional quantity of material entering themachine a corresponding amount will flow over the upper, inner edge ofthe top wall 17. As this edge is nearer the center of rotation than isthe peripheral wall 15, it is evident that it will be the lighter .ormore liquid portions which will overflow,

and that the heavier or solider materials will remain in the drum. Thusthere will be a continuous circulation through the machine, but theheavier particles will be retained. The proper rate of flow of the fluidthrough the machine determines the capacity of the machine, and isregulated in ac cordance with the composition of the material to beoperated upon and by the completeness with which it is desired toseparate the solids from the liquid. The slower the circulation thelonger the material will stay in the machine and the longer it will beexmeoeaa posed to centrifugal force, thus more solid substance will bedeposited and the liquid thrown out over the edge of the top wall willbe purer or clearer. The solid material separated by centrifugal force,will settle on the outer or peripheral wall and the resulting layer ofthe solid material will grow by degrees until the desired thickness hasbeen reached at which time the supply will be shut off. The machine willnow contain an outer layer of compact solid material and an inner layerof liquid or semi-liquid material. The innermost layer which extends tothe overflow edge may be comparatively clear liquid and ejecting thesolid material at this time would result in a simultaneous discharge ofthe liquid and semi-liquid portions remaining in the drum. In order toremove this liquid and the semi-liquid portions before ejecting thesolid or well-dried material ll provide a siphon pipe 24 mounted in thetop or frame 25 of the machine and extending into the drum with apivotal support so that its lower end may be swung inwardly toinoperative position adjacent the top of the plate 20, or may be swungoutwardly about a Vertical axis to the point illustrated in Fig. 1. Theopen end of the pipe when in the latter position will project into theliquid or semi-liquid layers in the drum and due to the high speed ofrotation of the latter this portion will be forced into and up thesiphon pipe and will be ejected from the machine through a discharge,pipe- 26.

After the withdrawal of the'liquid and semi-liquid portions from thedrum by the siphon pipe 24, there remains in the drum only the solidwell-dried material packed against the peripheral wall 15. As previouslyindicated one important feature of my invention resides in the simplemeans which I employ to permit the rapid and complete discharge of thissolid material. This means operates to effect a relative axial movementof the peripheral wall and the top and bottom walls of the drum. As asimple and eflicient means for producing this movement I provide thehead 14 with an annular vertically disposed cylinder 27, containing apiston 28, the piston rods 29 of which extend down through a stufiingbox at the lower end of the cylinder. All of the piston rods at theirlower ends are connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall 15 bymeans of an annular plate 30 or a plurality of separate arms disposedbelow the bottom 16 of the drum. Extending lengthwise through the mainshaft 10 are two liquid passages 31 and 32, one of which is connected bysuitable branch passages to the upper end of the cylinder while theother is connected by suitable branch passages to the lower end of thecylinder. Adjacent its lower end the shaft is provided with a sleeve 33having two annular grooves or passages on the inner surface, one ofwhich communicates with one passage of the shaft and the othercommunicates with the other passage. The sleeve is non-rotatable and hastwo fluid supply pipes eral wall 15, will at the same time be raised orlowered. It will thus be noted that the peripheral wall is raised orlowered by fluid pressure, and that its raising or lowering may beaccomplished entirely independently of its rotation.

The fluid for effecting the movement may be either liquid or gaseous butis preferably a liquid such for instance as oil delivered from asuitable source under pressure, wherebythe peripheral wall may be forcedup against the top wall with any desired de gree of pressure. Thispressing of the peripheral wall and the top wall together by means offluid pressure is an important feature of my invention, inasmuch as itpermits the effective sealing of the joint between the lid and theperipheral wall. As shown in Fig. 1 and more clearly in Fig. 2, the topwall is of larger diameter than the peripheraliwall and presents on itsunder surface a seat adapted to receive a gasket 36 against which theperipheral wall may be pressed by the application of fluid pressure tothe under sides of the pistons 28. This pressure will of course beproportioned to the centrifugal force exerted on the material in thedrum and the resulting tendency of the latter to escape through thejoint.

With the bottom wall and the peripheral wall axially movable so as toeffect a dis charge of the material I secure a tight joint between thesewalls preferably by means of a packing the operative pressure of whichis directly dependent upon centrifugal force.

This may be in addition to a suitable gasket to which pressure isapplied by the axial movement of the casing. As shown particularly inFig. 3 the peripheral wall presents a shoulder 37 adjacent its lower endupon which is seated a gasket 38, the shoulder and gasket being sopositioned that when the pe ripheral wall is forced upwardly to bringits upper edge against the gasket 36, the

gasket 38 will be pressed against the under surface of the bottom 16.

The bottom wall'on its peripheral edge is preferably provided with anannular recess within which is placed-a packing engaging with the innersurface of the peripheral &

wall. This packing is so constructed andso i mounted that it is actedupon by centrifugal force and is pressed outwardly against theperipheral wall with a pressure directly dependent upon centrifugalforce. Thls packing may be either of elastic material or of metal orboth may be employed if desired. In order that they may be subjected tothe action of centrifugal force the packing should not be a single ring,but should be made of sections or should be in the form of divided ringsor spirals. As shown in Fig. 2 the bottom wall at its periphery carriestwo superposed packing rings 39, 39. In Fig. 3 I have shown two similarrings 39, 39,

but both preferably of metaland operating to press outwardly against apacking 40 which may be either metal or elastic material. In Fig. 4 Ihave shown a very similar construction in which a packing 40 of metal orelastic material is pressed out against the peripheral wall by theaction of centrifugal force or a heavy spiral 41, in the rear of thepacking. In each instance-the packing or the loose weight in the rearthereof has such specific weight that when the machine isin operationthe packing will be pressed against the peripheral wall more firmly thanis the material within the drum, so that the latter can not escape pastthe packing.

In the treatment of certain classes of material in my machine thethrowing of the liquid against the peripheral wall or casing of themachine, often results in the formation of undesirable amount of froth.This is particularly true in treating sewage, in which considerablequantities of soap or soapy compounds may be in solution in the liquid.In order to prevent this froth formationI deliver the liquid to anannular upwardly inclined stationary wall over which liquid must passbefore escaping. The frictional resistance encountered, the upwarddirection of the movement of the liquid and the thinning out of theliquid as it covers the larger area toward the periphery, all retard theflow of the liquid, so that when the liquid escapes from the upper freeedge of this stationary wall it has lost to a large extent its velocityand may drop into the receiving chamber or conduit without the formationof froth to any objectionable extent.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the top wall 17 provided with a lip 42 from thefree edge of which the liquid is discharged during the operation of themachine. The outer stationary casing 43 of the machine carries anannular inclined wall 44, the lower inner edge of which is slightlybelow the free edge of the lip 42. Around the outer edge of the wall 44is an annular trough 45, into which the liquid is eventually depositedand from which it may flow through the conduit 46. It will be noted thatthis wall 44 is station- 1,1eo,asa

upper, inner edge of the lid is bent outwardly to form the lip 42 andthe trough 45 is curved in cross-section, but operates in substantiallythe same manner as the construction shown in Fig. 1.

As previously indicated the material is discharged from the drum bylowering the peripheral wall and permitting material to be thrown out bycentrifugal action. The casing 43 is preferably spaced from theperipheral wall a short distance so that the material may strike thiscasing and drop down into an annular channel 49 adjacent the base of themachine. An inner wall 50 may be carried by the casing 43, concentrictherewith, so as to prevent material from falling into the space beneaththe drum and thus interfere with the downward movement of the wall 15.Various mechanisms may be employed for removing the material from thetrough 49 but preferably I provide a scraper 51 connected to a wormwheel 53, concentric with the shaft but unattached thereto. Theconnection may be a plate 54' which will prevent-any material fromdropping onto the worm wheel. A worm 55 driven in any suitable mannermay mesh with the worm wheel and effect the slow rotation of the latterand the scraper so as to deliver the dried material to an outlet conduit56. This conduit may have a slide valve 57 or any other suitable meansfor controlling it.

In the operation of my improved machine the successive steps preferablytake place substantially aS follows: Suitable power is applied to theshaft 10 to rotate the latter at very high speed, and the inlet valve 58in the supply conduit is opened to permit the admission of the mixedliquid and solid material to be treated. As previously indicated thissolid material accumulates against the inner surface of the wall 15while the liquid overflows from the lip 42 and eventually reaches thedischarge conduit 46 while froth nal source of supply to be retreatedrather than disposed of with the liquid flowing out through the outlet46. The pressure below the piston 48 is now released and pressure isapplied to the upper side of the piston to force the casing downwardlyaxially. The solid material will be thrown out by centrifugal forceagainst the stationary casing 43 and dropped down into the trough 49from which it is removed by the scraper 51. The peripheral wall is thenreturned to the position shown in the drawing, the siphon pipe is movedto inoperative position and a fresh supply of material to be treated isad mitted by opening of the inlet valve 58. It is of course evident thatthe timing and controlling of these operations may be done entirely byhand, but I preferably accomlish them automatically. In my co-pendmgapplication Serial No. 805,693, filed December 10th, 1913, I haveillustrated a mechanism which is particularly useful in controlling amachine of the charactershown in the present application. The inletvalve 58 may be operated by a piston mounted in a cylinder 59 and thesiphon pipe 24 may be moved to operative and inoperative positions bythe reciprocation of a piston in a cylinder 60. The mechanismillustrated in my copending application above referred to may operate tocontrol'the flow of liquid to and from the cylinders 27, 59 and 60, sothat the successive operations may be performed in the desired sequenceafter the desired amount of solid material has accumulated. The lengthof time required for this to accumulate may be automatically controlledas disclosed in my co-pending application above referred to or may beaccomplished manually.

This application is a division of my prior application Serial No.805,694, filed December 10th, 1913, which eventuated in Patent No.1,094,230 granted April 21, 1914. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent, is:

l. A centrifugal machine including a separation chamber having end wallssubstantially rigid in respect to each other, and a .peripheral wall andmeans for moving said peripheral wall axially to permit the radialdischarge of material from said chamber.

2. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall, means for moving said peripheral wall axially and ascraper for removing material from the inner surface of said wall duringsaid axial movement.

3. A centrifugal machine including a separation chamber having aperipheral wall, and an end wall encircled thereby, said walls beingrelatively movable axially to permit a radial discharge of the materialfrom said chamber and said end wall having a packing member inengagement with said peripheral wall and normally held in operativeposition by centrifugal force.

' 4. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall, against the inner surface of which solid material mayaccumulate, and an annular scraper for removing the material from theinner surface of said wall, said scraper having a peripheral packingmember held in operative position by centrifugal force.

5. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber mcluding aperipheral wall and bottom and top walls, said top wall havmg an annularoverflow lip over which liquid may be discharged from said chamber bycentrifugal force, means for moving said peripheral wall axially inrespect to sald top wall for permitting an axial discharge of thematerial remaining within said separation chamber, and an annular troughreceiving chamber, an annular trough receiving the.

liquid thrown out over said lip, and an annular upwardly inclined wallserving to conduct liquid from said lip to said trough and reduce thetendency toward the production of froth by said liquid.

7. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall, and a top wall having an annular overflow edge forliquid, and a conduit movable into operative position within saidchamber to remove liquid at greater radial distances from the centerthan said overflow edge, said conduit being normally disposed ininoperative position but movable to present an open end in the path ofthe rotating liquid within said chamber.

8. A centrifugal machine including a vertically disposed shaft, a headcarried thereby and having an annular cylinder therein, a bottom wallcarried by said head, a peripheral wall, a piston within said cylinder,and operative connection between said piston and said peripheral wallfor effecting an axial movement of said wall.

9. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including animperforate peripheral wall'and bottom and top walls, said top wallhaving an annular overflow lip of smaller diameter than said peripheralwall and over which liquid may be discharged from said chamber bycentrifugal force, and

axial discharge beneath said top wall of the material remaining withinsaid separation chamber.

10. A centrifugal machine including a separation chamber having aperipheral wall, and a bottom wall encircled thereby,

. a packing member in engagement with said peripheral Wall and normallyheld in operative position by centrifugal force.

. 11. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall against the inner surface of which solid material mayaccumulate, and a scraper for removing the material from the innersurface of said wall, said scraper having a packing member held at itsouter edge in operative position against said peripheral wall bycentrifugal force.

12. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall, against the inner surface of which solid material mayaccumulate, and a scraper having an annular scraping surface forremoving the material from the inner surface of said wall, said scraperhaving a peripheral packing member held in operative position by vcentrifugal force, and said scraper and said peri heral wall beingrelatively movable axia ly.

13. A centrifugal machine including a vertically disposed shaft, a headcarried thereby and having a cylinder therein, .,a

bottom wall carried by said head, a peripheral wall, a piston Withinsaidcylinder and operative connection between said piston and saidperipheral wall for effecting an axial movement of said wall.

14. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including aperipheral wall and bottom and top walls, said top wall having anannular overflow lip over which -liquid may be discharged from saidchamber by centrifugal force, means for moving said peripheral wallaxially in respect to said top Wall for permitting an axial dischargebe- 50 neath said over-flow lip of the material remaining within saidseparation chamber.

15. A centrifugal machine, including a vertically disposed shaft havinga head, a separation chamber including a bottom Wall carried by saidhead and a peripheral wall axially movable in respect to the bottomwall, and means for effecting said axial movement, said means includinga piston member and a cylinder member, one of said members beingoperatively connected to said peripheral wall and the other of saidmembers being operatively connected to said head.

16. A centrifugal machine, including a vertically disposed shaft havinga head, a

separation chamber including a bottom wall carried by said head, and aperipheral wall axially movable in respect to the bottom wall, means foreffecting said axial movement, said means including a piston member anda cylinder member, one of said members being operatively connected tosaid peripheral wall and the other of said members being operativelyconnected to said head, and passages through said shaft for deliveringfluid to said cylinder independently of the rotative movement of theshaft and chamber.

17. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including animperforate peripheral wall and bottom and top walls, said top wallhaving an annular overflow lip of smaller diameter than said peripheralwall and over which liquid may be discharged from said chamber bycentrifugal force, an annular gasket on the under surface of said topwall, and means for effecting a relative axial movement of said top walland said peripheral wall to permit an axial discharge from said chamberbeneath said top wall or to seat said peripheral wall against saidgasket and effect a substantially watertight joint.

18. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including animperforatc peripheral wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, said top wallhaving a gasket in its under surface against which the end of saidperipheral wall may seat and said bottom wall having an annular gasketin its periphery seating against the inner surface of said peripheralwall, and means for effecting a relative axial movement of saidperipheral wall and said top and bottom walls.

19. A centrifugal machine including a separation chamber having a topWall presenting an annular seat in the under surface thereof, aperipheral wall having its upper edge normally engaging with said seatto effect a substantially watertight joint, and means for effecting arelative axial movement of said top wall and said peripheral wall topermit the discharge of material from said chamber between said walls.

20. -A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including animperforate peripheral wall and top and bottom walls, said top wallhaving an overflow opening disposed nearer to the axis of said chamberthan said peripheral wall and through which liquid may be dischargedfrom said chamber by centrifugal force when a predetermined amount ofmaterial accumulates against the inner surface of the peripheral wall,an annular chamber encircling said rial within said separation chambermay annular chamber.

21. A centrifugal machine having a separation chamber including animperforate peripheral wall and bottom and top walls,

be discharged into' said. second mentioned said top wall having anannular overflow I, lip of smaller diameter than said peripheral walland over which liquid may be discharged-from said chamber by centrifugalforce, an annular trough encircling said separation chamber forreceiving said liquid so discrged, and means for efi'ecting a relativeial movement of said peripheral wall and said top wall to permit theaxial discharge beneath said top wall and beneath said trough of thematerial remaining within said separation chamber.

22. A centrifugal machine having a sep-' aration chamber including animperforate peripheral wall and bottom and top walls, said top wallhaving an annular overflow lip of smaller diameter than said peripheralwall and over which liquid may be discharged from said chamber bycentrifugall.

force, an annular trough encircling said separatlon chamber forreceiving said liquid so discharged, and means for mov- Signed at-Hanover, Germany, this seventh day of March, A. D. 1914.

GUSTAV ATER MEER.

Witnesses:

T. HENBY REED, 1R; Enrme.

